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7 dead, several injured in shooting at Sikh temple in Wisconsin

by Staff | AP

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Bystanders look on as SWAT officers surround the Sikh Temple of Wisconsin where at least one gunman stormed a mass and opened fire August, 5, 2012 Oak Creek, Wisconsin. At least six people were killed when a shooter, who was shot dead by a police officer, opened fire on congregants in the Milwaukee suburb. Darren Hauck/Getty Images

A shooting at a Sikh temple outside of Milwaukee has left 7 dead, including a suspected gunman, according to Wisconsin police. An officer and at least 3 individuals were reportedly shot and seriously injured.

The shooting took place at a Sikh temple in Oak Creek, a suburb of Milwaukee, when witnesses described gunman opening fire on a crowd of worshippers.

Earlier, WTMJ reported that an officer was shot multiple times in what appeared to be a hostage situation. WTMJ reported a suspected gunman was shot and killed on the scene. Police say they have found no evidence of a second gunman.

"An officer arrived on scene. He engaged an active shooter. The officer was shot multiple times. He has been transported to a local hospital and is expected to survive," police spokesman Bradley Wentlandt told WTMJ. "The shooter was put down."

Fran McLaughlin, spokeswoman for the Milwaukee County Sheriff's Department, says a call came in at 10:26 a.m. reporting the attack. The Associated Press said several priests may have been shot. Authorities responded with a dozen ambulances and tactical units.

SWAT teams entered the temple before noon and removed those who weren't wounded. As of 1 p.m. CDT, police were sweeping the area.

Three shooting victims, all men, were taken to Froederdt Hospital in Milwaukee, the main trauma center for the area, spokeswoman Carolyn Bellin said. One was in the operating room, another in a surgical intensive care unit and the third was being evaluated in the emergency room, she said.

Sukhwindar Nagr, of Racine, says he called his brother-in-law's phone and a priest at the temple answered. Nagr says the priest told him that his brother-in-law had been shot, along with three priests.